The objective was to analyze the messages about drugs of the rap lyrics from representative and influential groups among the youth living in the periferias of São Paulo. It understands that rap is a kind of music that is part of cultural movement - the hip hop - that disseminates a particular set of ideas, mainly in the periferias of the big cities. Through Discourse Analysis 11 lyrics of 9 rap groups were taken as a sample. The outstanding theme of the lyrics is the situation of the segregated areas of the city, including the presence of drug trafficking and consumption, as well as violence and discrimination. The problem of drug consumption is understood by a few rappers as a consequence of capitalism, and by others as individual characteristics and the influence of family and friends. The rap proposal to confront and to overcome those problems is making a personal effort to keep a distance from drug trafficking and consumption, especially from crack and cocaine, considered risky and potentially destructive. Family empowerment, friendship and formal education are also listed as important to prevent drug problems. Therefore, the rap proposal relies strongly on individual power, making a discourse that goes beyond denunciation, it proposes developing protection mechanisms to live with violence, drug trafficking and consumption.